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Thursday, February 14th, 2008
Giggle of the Day
Thursday, February 14th, 2008 05:30 pmI ended up reading an agony aunt column and found this question...which just amuses me terribly:
Prejudice Against Cartoons?
DEAR MARGO: I am a 20-year-old college student and an anime fan in a relatively conservative household. My family is intolerant of other cultures. Here's how my family sees my hobby: "Japanese b.s." Here is the crux of my problem: I had decided to save money for some anime that was only available online. I had the money in my hand, which was a gift from this Christmas. When my parents found out, they refused to allow me to purchase the products because I am "becoming un-American." (I should note at this point that I am a dependent because I am a full-time student.) I would like to know what I should do to let them know I am not un-American.
--- TRYING FOR REALISM HERE
DEAR TRY: Try making your case this way: The word "anime" comes from animation, which was, of course, perfected by ... Walt Disney, great American! Though anime was popularized in Japan, computerization is key, not Japanese culture. As for your parents' bias, you might tell them your interest in this is no more disloyal to America than driving a Toyota, eating French cheese or wearing Italian shoes. Tell them you are in favor of a global economy and they should applaud your embracing all of mankind. (I don't know that you can re-educate them, but I gave it my best shot.)
--- MARGO, CONVINCINGLY?
...
Dude! You have to write in to a newspaper column to figure out how to put your big kid pants on and buy some anime? *shakes head* So sad, so sad, no wonder otaku are always given a bad name.
Prejudice Against Cartoons?
DEAR MARGO: I am a 20-year-old college student and an anime fan in a relatively conservative household. My family is intolerant of other cultures. Here's how my family sees my hobby: "Japanese b.s." Here is the crux of my problem: I had decided to save money for some anime that was only available online. I had the money in my hand, which was a gift from this Christmas. When my parents found out, they refused to allow me to purchase the products because I am "becoming un-American." (I should note at this point that I am a dependent because I am a full-time student.) I would like to know what I should do to let them know I am not un-American.
--- TRYING FOR REALISM HERE
DEAR TRY: Try making your case this way: The word "anime" comes from animation, which was, of course, perfected by ... Walt Disney, great American! Though anime was popularized in Japan, computerization is key, not Japanese culture. As for your parents' bias, you might tell them your interest in this is no more disloyal to America than driving a Toyota, eating French cheese or wearing Italian shoes. Tell them you are in favor of a global economy and they should applaud your embracing all of mankind. (I don't know that you can re-educate them, but I gave it my best shot.)
--- MARGO, CONVINCINGLY?
...
Dude! You have to write in to a newspaper column to figure out how to put your big kid pants on and buy some anime? *shakes head* So sad, so sad, no wonder otaku are always given a bad name.
